Pressure sprayer



March 17, 1953 w. B. KOCHNER ETAL 2,631,891

PRESSURE SPRAYER Filed April 20, 1948 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 8 12 124 100 105 m4 9 1 1 7 7 46 1ze\ 5 m-4- 114 1 n William E. ZZ 04221491 47m 220 lamb.

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1 1 v. a. w 9 m E. m m m S 0m m 1 ...E Y m 4 w md i W. B. KOCHNER ETAL PRESSURE SPRAYER March 17, 1953 Flled Aprll 20 1948 H m IHI;

Patented Mar. 17, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PRESSURE 'SPRAYER William B.'Kochner and .0110 Lamb, LSt..Louis, :Mo., 'assignors to Knapp-MonarchCompany, -St. .Lcuis, Mo., a. corporation of Delaware Application April 20, 1948, Serial No; 22 ,1'1-8 6 Claims. '1

Our present invention relates to a sprayer 'for insecticide and the like which is operated by "pressure from a bulb of high pressure air'or gas.

"One object of the invention is to provide a "sprayer including a container for the liquid to be sprayed and constituting a low pressure chamber, aregulating valve being interposed between a' high pressure chamber and the low *pressure 'chamber,-and'contro1 of the spray being effected by admitting air or gas under pressure' from'the highpressure chamber to the low pressurechamber for displacing the liquid con- "tents therefrom through a spray nozzle.

:Another object is-ito eliminate the possibility of the liquid absorbing the air or gas and thereby reducing'the pressure available for spraying as experienced with those types of sprayers wherein the pressure of the gas is continuously imposed on the liquid.

Still another object is to provide a container for liquid, and a control valve that admits gas to the container for displacing liquid, gas ad- "mission being "permitted only when dis ensation of the "liquidisdesired.

A further" object is to provide a control valve "arrangement which effects. cut-off of the liquid at the discharge orifice to' prevent dripping.

*Still a 'further object is'to'provide 'a valve of the character just disclosedwhich is'operated by 'aitrigger'or the "like and includes a valve means "for controllingthe flow of gas from the high pressure chamber to the low pressure chamberunder' control of the'same trigger.

:An additional object :isto provide "means to permit discharge of high'pressure gas with the liquid 'at the discharge orifice "for -more finely "atomizing theliquid which is particularly idesirable for indoor'spraying tovpermit faster evaporation of the "solvents and/or vehicle for the lethal ingredient in an insecticide liquid or the like.

"-With theseand other'objects in view, "our in- "vention :consists in the construction, arrange- ..ment 'and combination of .the various parts of .our device whereby the obj ects contemplated: are attained, as hereinafter more fully :set forth, 'ipointedroutxin our claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an'enlarged vertical-sectionalview Lthrough .a sprayer iembodying .our' invention from which :theihandle has been omitted.

.%Figure 1 is a side :selevation of the :sprayer on a reduced scale.

.Figure *2 is :a .front "elevation of .an: insert in the spray nozzle showing spiral grooves to :pro-

-24. pierced by .a combined piercing pin an'd valve duce whirling action of the liquidas 'itztis zdischarged.

Figure 3' is a vertical sectional -viewithrough the handle of thetsprayer and is acontinuation 1 of the upperright corner of Figure'l.

Figure 14 is asectional view on the line "4-4 'of Figure i3..showing a trigger i-mounting.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line-.5-5

of Figure 3 "showing: constructional 'details, and

Figure 6 vis a vertical sectional view; on the line iii-6 of Figure 1 showing asafetymelief valve arrangement.

'On the accompanying drawings; 'we have used the reference number in to indicate acontainer for liquid-12 such'as insecticide or the like. 't'The container in has a threaded neck 1'4 on which a head H is threaded, with a gasketlfirihterposed between thetwo'forsealingipurposes. The

head 1H may be removed for filling the container '28 held in position by'a bushing v31!. "The sleeve 28 is adapted to seal I against the neck of a' gas bulb B which is forced into the sleeve 28 zby the "holder 22 when threaded on the member The upper endof 'the'bulb at thattime is seat element 32,*the lower-end of theelement being sharpened for piercing purposes. The

element '32 is retained in position by a split washer 34 soldered to the piercing pin andto the member 24 and by staking36 at the upper end of the element.

A regulator valve is provided in *the"handle "20 consisting of :a gasket '38,- a washerlfl three springs 42, adisc 44, a diaphragm -disc 46, a

diaphragm i'w of flexible material such vasaVinylite and .:a Washer :41. The .springs ..42"'are.:;in-

I terposed :between the washer :40 'and the '.diSG

44, being located in sockets 'ofithe disc. .I'hey iretainzthe gasket 533.compressed soithereiis no leakage. from the chamber .betweenzthe washer 40 :and 'the cdisc 144 towatmosphere .alongrthe threadsbetween ithe;.hand1e;20 andzthe :connecting member Thez'sp'rings. also compress the edge. .of ithe 5di- I as shown in Figure 3.

posed on the liquid I2 in the container.

aphragm 48 between the upper end of the diaphragm disc 46 and the washer 48 to seal a closed chamber 52 between the diaphragm 48 and the diaphragm disc 46 from the space in the handle 20 above the diaphragm 48. The washer 41 is seated against six projecting lugs 54 in the handle 20 and its edge is spaced from the bore of the handle by six circumferentially distributed ribs 56 between the lugs 54.

Within the chamber 52 a follower disc 58 is mounted against the diaphragm 48. The disc 46 has a hub 60 slidably receiving a valve pin 62 and fitting tightly into a packing 64. The valve pin extends slidably through the packing 64 and terminates at its lower end in a valve cap 66. The valve cap 66 is recessed to fit over the upper end of the valve seat element 32 and to seat thereagainst at times for sealing purposes. At atmospheric pressures the valve 66 would be unseated from the valve element 32 Upon piercing of the bulb B and discharge of gas therefrom through the element 32 and around the edges of the discs 44 and 46 and the washer 41 to the top of the diaphragm 48, there would result depres-' sion of the diaphragm and closure of the valve 66 against the element 32. Thus the valve serves to act as a regulator with the high pressure on top of the diaphragm 48 balancing 'against the pressure of trapped air in the chamber 52. Any timethere is a reduction in pressure in the upper end of the handle 20 due to' using gas for liquid dispensation purposes, the valve 66 will be opened automatically for admitting additional gas and will act as a pres sure regulator therefor.

The pressure regulator just referred to is a sole invention of 0110 Lamb, one of the present co-invento'rs, and is claimed in his copending application, Serial No. 688,197, filed August 3, 1946; At the top of the handle'20 a gas valve is provided in the form of a slidable valve member 68 sliding in the bore 10 of a closure plug 12 and on a valve operating tube 14. The valve member 68 is provided with an annular valve lip 16 normally seated against a gasket 18 sup ported by a washer 80. The washer is positioned 7 against a shoulder 82 of the head H. The

gasket 18 and the washer 80 are retained against the shoulder by a washer 84 and a spring 85::

The spring 86 is interposed between the washer 84 and a shoulder 88 of the closure plug 12. A second spring 90 is interposed between a shoulder 92 of the valve element 68 and a shoulder 94 of the closure plug 12 for the purpose of normally seating the valve lip 16 against the central portion of the gasket 18.

The valve operating tube 14 extends forwardly "as in Figure 1 and is slidable through washers 96, 98, I00, I02, I24 and I25. Between the washers 98 and 06, a packing washer I04 is provided and between the washers I and I02 w packing washer I06 is provided. This provides a sealed-off space I08 in the head H into which gas may be discharged from an opening IIO of the tube 14. At the rear end of the tube an opening H2 is provided into which the gas may flow after passing between the valve seat 16 and the gasket 18.

Returning to Figure 1, the washers 86 and I25 are seated against stationary shoulders 81 and I H. The chamber I08 communicates with v the container I0 by means of a passageway H4 in the head H so that gas pressure can be im- Such gas pressure tends to displace the liquid through a syphon tube H6 and a passageway H8 into a chamber I20 of the head ahead of the washer I02.

A return spring I23 is located in the chamber I20 and interposed between a collar I21 secured to the tube 14 and a flanged cup-like sleeve I26 positioned against the washer I02. Heavy pressure springs I22 and I28 are located in the chambers I20 and I08, respectively and interposed between the washers I02 and I24 and the washers 98 and I 00. The springs I22 and I28 serve as spacers and compress the packings I04 and I06 against the tube 14 to provide the chamber I08 sealed off from atmosphere and from the chamber I20.

The valve operating tube 14 may be manually retracted by means of a trigger I34 pivoted on a pin I36. The ends of the pin are located in the head H as shown in Figure 3, and stop collars I38 and I40 are mounted on the tube on opposite sides of a bifurcated upper end I35 of the trigger I34. The collar I38 is slidably mounted on the tube 14 and is retained lightly against the trigger I34 by a spring I 42, whereas the collar I40 is secured to the tube by soldering or brazing so that when the trigger I34 is pulled toward the handle 20 it will engage the collar I40 and slide the tube 14 toward the right.

At the front end of the valve operating tube 14 a needle valve I 30 in the form of a plug is attached so that it is an integral part of the tube. The needle valve normally closes a discharge orifice I32 in the fitting I8 by contacting its inner edge under bias of the spring I23. A liquid discharge fitting I44 is located in the forward end of the chamber I20 and retained therein by the orifice member I8 which has a cone shaped opening I48. The front end I45 of the fitting I44 is similarly cone shaped and is provided with grooves I arranged tangentially to a gas discharge opening I52 of the fitting I44.

ings I54 in the wall of the tube just back of the needle valve I30. The fitting I44 has longitudinal grooves I56 and I58 to permit passage of liquid past the outside of the fitting to the outer ends of its tangential grooves I50. A gasket I46 seals the fitting I8 in the head H.

Referring to Figure 6 the head H is provided with a passageway I 68 connected with a cross passageway I10. The ends of the passageway I10 are closed in relation to atmosphere by puncturable diaphragms I12 of Vinylite or the like which are held in position by screw plugs I14. The plugs I14 in turn are plugged by plugs I16 of plastic or the like frictionally held in position.

Practical operation In the operation of our pressure sprayer, when the bulb B is connected to the handle 20 in the manner disclosed 'in Figure 3, gas from the bulb will fiow through the piercing pin 32 and into the handle 20 above the diaphragm 43. The diaphragm will then effect closure of the valve 66 when a predetermined pressure in the handle is produced. This pressure may be varied by adjusting the connecting member 24 in relation to the handle 20 after loosening the set screw 26. The set screw is then retightened to retain the adjustment. I

When it 'is desired to dispense liquid I2 in spray form from the'orifice I32, the trigger I34 Gas is admitted from the tube 14. V to the interior of the fitting I44 through opencharges :through the. openings passageway 1H 4- toiimpose pressureon ithe iliquid 1:21am the container Hi.

the container 4:0: by the gas entering it through Liquid displaced from the passageway Il ifiows upwardly through ".the

vsyphon tube 11:6 and the passageway M8, :into

:thechamber; j i 20' and-then :through the grooves 15.6, MB. and 1:50 to the. orifice. i132 :irom which it..is ,:sprayed. JIhezneedle :valve .lt30 :can be adjusted-by the trigger i34 to remain in the opening I52 or'to openwit, if desired so that gas is then also discharged through the orifice !32 wherein it mixes with theilliquid.

The; liquid being discharged under pressureand the gas mixing with it efiectspraying and fine atomization of the liquid. This is particularly desirable-for inside spraying to prevent covering houseiiurnishings and the like with a film of insecticide as happens when thespray is icoarse. To aid inltheatomization, thegrooves 1% are arranged tangentially, in relation to "the 'open- Ling .I;5 2.to. give to the liquida whirling action as .it enters 'theorifice i 32.

When :the desired amount of spray has been dispensed'thetrigger lad is released, whereupon the gas valve 68 first closes and 'then'the, needle valve i313 closes against the edge of th orifice 132 .for cutting off vall :furtherliquid "a d :pre-

ventingdrip.

In the event that coarsespraying is desired, the discharge of gas can'be dispensed with. In other words, the dispensation of liquid may be entirely by displacement but thisproduces a coarse spray, although itdoes economize on the use of gas underhighpressure. A'coarse spray is suitable for outdoor spraying, whereas for indoor spraying a finer spray, as already mentioned, is desired and can be produced by using gas discharge in addition to liquid discharge.

In the dispensation of liquids by the use of gas under pressure to displace them, the liquids rapidly absorb certain gases and particularly CO2, this being the most commonly used gas for this purpose. Due to such absorption the available gas pressure rapidly drops and the pressure drop is accelerated when the dispenser is shaken or otherwise disturbed. Also the higher the pressure used, the greater absorption and the more rapid proportional decrease in pressure.

We have therefore provided a dispenser or sprayer which admits high pressure gas to the liquid containing chamber only when dispensation is desired. After the spraying operation, the gas is shut ofi in the handle 20 and the bulb B, instead of being admitted to the chamber it where it can be absorbed by the liquid therein. By then providing for the discharge of gas only at the time liquid dispensation is desired, the usual continuous absorption during intermediate periods of use is eliminated.

We have provided a means to divert a portion of the gas directly into the nozzle orifice so that a finely divided atomization, particularly desirable for indoors spraying, can be had. At the same time the valve is so constructed that drippagerafter uselis eliminated :duezto ,ishutgoit-gbeing; accomplished; at ithe znozzle itse f "The puncturablegdiscs, 1'12 of Figureyfi, provide a safety featureiinz that, they relieve; pressure from A the container ;-I;0;awhen, rdue *towaiveleakageor other causes, the pressure; exceeds; azpredeter- :mined :saie value- This; va1ue,;is-. .determinediby the size and thickness of the discs I12 and. :Wlien the safe pressure: iscxceede'd it puncturesone or the other'of the ,;discs and itheexcess pressure 1 leaks through the. plug Is'l4,:blowing theiplugslflfi :out departing 'fromithe real spiritiand purpose of our invention, and it is 'ourintention to, cover by our claimsany modified forms (if structure or use of mechanical equivalents which mav be reasonably included within their scope.

We claim as our invention:

1. A device of the'character" disclosed comprising a. container for liquid, a head imounted on said liquidicontainer, aspray nozzle atthe-forward end of said head andhavinga "discharge orifice, a handle at the rearward'endthereof,:a

'highpressure gaschamber in said handle, a gas valve in the rearward portion'of said head oommunicating with said gas'chamber, .a valve operating tube extending .fore-and-aft withinsaid head, a trigger aheadof said handle for effecting longitudinal movement of'sai'd valve-operating tube, the; rear end of said tube being adaptable for opening said gas valve, the outletofsaid .gas valve communicating with the interiorof said tube, saidtube'intermediate its ends communicating With'said'container for supplying gas thereto to displace liquid from said container, the for- Ward end of said tube communicating with said discharge nozzle for discharging gas with the liquid to atomize the same, a needle carried by the front end of said tube and coactible with said discharge orifice for sealing the same, said needle being separable from said orifice by operation of said trigger prior to the opening of said gas valve by said valve operating tube.

2. In a high pressure, gas operated spraying device, a container for liquid, a discharge nozzle communicating with said container below the level of liquid therein, and means to introduce fiuid pressure into said container above the liquid to displace the same therefrom comprising a handle member for said sprayer, a high pressure chamber within said handle member, a high pressure gas bulb, connecting and piercing means associated with said handle, a manually con trolled valve mounted between said handle and said container to introduce gas to said container to thereby displace liquid therefrom and through said discharge nozzle, and a second manually controlled valve to deliver gas directly to said discharge nozzle to discharge therefrom with the liquid issuing therefrom and to control the same.

3. In a sprayer apparatus, a container for liquid, a discharge nozzle for the liquid, a high pressure gas chamber, a gas control valve, and means of communicating between said gas contr-ol valve and said container comprising a valve operating tube communicating with the outlet side of said'gas control valve when the valve is open, said tube being movable for efiecting open- 'ing of the valve, a pair of packings surrounding said tube, said tube between said packings communicating with said container for supplying gas thereto, and means carried by said valve operating tube for opening the orifice of said discharge nozzle.

4. In a device of the character disclosed, a container for liquid, a head mounted thereon, a spray nozzle at the forward end of said head, a handle at the rearward end thereof, a high pressure gas chamber in said handle, a gas valve in the rearward portion of said head and communicating with said gas chamber, a valve operating tube extending fore-and-aft within said head, the rear end thereof being adaptable for opening said gas valve, the outlet of said gas valve communicating with the interior of said tube, said tube also com- 'municating with said container for introducing gas thereto which discharges liquid therefrom and with said discharge nozzle for discharging gas with the discharging liquid to atomize the same, and a needle carried by the forward end of said tube and coactible with said discharge orifice for sealing the same, said needle being separable from said orifice by sliding of said tube prior to the opening of said gas valve.

5. In a spraying apparatus, a container for liquid, a discharge nozzle for the liquid, passage- Way means of communication between said discharge nozzle and said container below the level of liquid therein, a high pressure gas chamber, a gas control valve, and means of communicating between said gas control valve and said container comprising a valve operating tube communicating with the outlet side of said gas control valve when the valve is open, said tube being movable for efiecting opening of the valve, a pair of packings surrounding said tube, said tube between said packings communicating with said container above the level of liquid therein and discharging gas thereinto to displace liquid therefrom through said passageway means and said discharge nozzle.

6. In a liquid discharge apparatus, a container for liquid, a discharge orifice communicating therewith below the level of liquid therein, passageway means communicating with said container above the level of liquid, a supply chamber adapted to contain gas under high but variable pressure, a second chamber adapted to contain gas under a pressure that is regulated to remain at a lower value than the pressure in said supply chamber until the pressure therein recedes to the regulated pressure in said second chamber, a gas pressure regulating valve between said high pressure supply chamber and said second chamber to effect such regulation and a liquid dispensing control valve between said second chamber and said passageway means operable to admit gas at constant pressure from said second chamber to said container for displacing liquid therefrom.

WILLIAM B. KOCHNER. OLLO LAMB.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 851,274 Brent Apr. 23, 1907 1,912,759 Clark June 6, 1933 1,920,165 Andvig Aug. 1, 1933 1,935,973 Altmann Nov. 21, 1933 2,149,181 Krautzberger Feb. 28, 1939 2,182,742 Brewer Dec. 5, 1939 2,362,784 Ward Nov. 14, 1944 2,372,678 McKay Apr. 3, 1945 2,380,964 Grover Aug. 7, 1945 2,387,353 Raymond Oct. 23, 1945 2,497,625 Norwick Feb. 14, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTSv Number Country Date 287,181 Italy July 9, 1931 383,768 Great Britain Nov. 24, 1932 838,633 France Dec. 16, 1938 

